Sixmilebridge Too Far For Derryhassen Paddy At Ayr

Sixmilebridge made a successful chasing intro in what became a contest at Ayr on Wednesday.


The Play Coral "Racing-Super-Series" "Chasing Excellence" Beginners' Chase might have lacked runners, however it constantly guaranteed to be an intriguing affair with Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore's Albert Bartlett third Derryhassen Paddy (5-6 preferred) taking on Fergal O'Brien's Grade Two-winning hurdler.


Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero's Gamesters Guy (13-2) made an excellent fist of being the fly in the ointment and in a race which offered lots of drama, all three looked likely at numerous stages of the home straight.


Ultimately it was 6-4 possibility Sixmilebridge who proved the most sure-footed when it mattered most to reward connections' long trip to Scotland with their gifted chasing possibility.


O'Brien stated: "He finished the job, I suppose I was a little bit disappointed with his leaping as he's been excellent at home, however he beat a great horse in Lucinda's horse, so you have to be very delighted with him.


"A lot of credit goes to Max Kendrick who trips him in your home and he's not a simple horse in the house. It's great to do the job and a win under his belt."


Sixmilebridge made a fine start to chasing after at Ayr (Bradley Collyer/PA)


This triumph came by 2 and a half miles and Sixmilebridge was made 33-1 from 66s by Paddy Power for a go up to 3 miles and the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.


However, O'Brien is open over which trip he might ultimately end up plying his trade.


"We have not made a lot of plans aside from to attempt to get today out of the method first," continued O'Brien.


"I'll speak with Kielan (Woods, jockey) and Mr and Mrs Megson (owners) and try make a strategy of where to go next.


"I think he could do either, go up in trip or hang back in trip if you wished to. Kielan stated his last four dives were his finest 4 dives when he was going a bit quicker."


O'Brien and Woods rapidly doubled up on the card when Stop Loss declared the Coral Novices' Hurdle at chances of 25-1.